Lock Andrew van der Heijden will be presented with an Auckland blazer following tomorrow's match at North Harbour.

In these days when rugby is a year-round business, receiving recognition for 14 games might be a quaint reminder of days past, but those games, plus the three seasons under his belt at Counties Manukau, make him a vastly more experienced campaigner than the locks he will be facing.

North Harbour Stadium has resembled a field hospital this week, so much so that loose forward Matt Luamanu has been converted to lock where he will partner Shane Neville.

William Whetton will start from the bench.

Not surprising then that Auckland, heavy on Super 14 experience through their pack, have targeted the forward battle as one to win.

"We're looking to pounce through the whole forward pack," said van der Heijden, "but it's their 25th celebration so we're not expecting an easy run."

The 26-year-old has established himself as a lock with a high workrate but it's his ball-winning that will most be in demand as Auckland look to avoid a repeat of last year's upset when Harbour came to Eden Park and ground their way to an ugly victory.

The tables could be turned tomorrow as coach Mark Anscombe named a side with two genuine fetchers at numbers six and seven.

"Daniel Braid picks himself," Anscombe said. "Onosa'i [Auva'a] has just been playing too well to leave out. He's had a great club season and played well for us against Northland last week when we experimented with it.

"There's certain games that will suit it and we've gone with it for this weekend."

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Anscombe said Moeke's club form for Gallaher Shield finalist Grammar Carlton won the day, but Berquist could expect to play a big role off the bench.

Harbour coach Craig Dowd did not have the same luxury of choice, particularly in the forwards, with many selections on a needs-must basis.

It is a new-look team that will see centre Brendon Watt, winger Alipate Fatafehi, halfback Grayson Hart and Luamanu pull the Harbour jumper on for the first time.

Dowd is confident his team can get off to a winning start.

"During the game we need to pour out more than just the usual standard of club rugby. Finding that level first up is a key for us but I know the North Harbour players really get up to play against Auckland."

The key to another upset appears to be the ability of Luke McAlister to unlock Auckland's defence.